"a pound, libra, equivalent to about twelve ounces (American), Jn. 12:3; 19:39*"
Definition and meaning
a pound, libra, equivalent to about twelve ounces (American), Jn. 12:3; 19:39*
In the original Greek the word is written: λίτρα
Historical context
John wrote for an audience familiar with both Jewish Scripture and Greek philosophy. The logos — the Word — was a term Greek philosophers used for the rational principle underlying the universe. John takes that concept and says: that logos became a person and lived among us. Crucifixion was the Roman execution method designed to maximize public humiliation, reserved for slaves and rebels.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of litra (G3046) across the King James Bible.
Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.
And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.
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Common questions
Strong's G3046 (litra) is a Greek word that means: a pound, libra, equivalent to about twelve ounces (American), Jn. 12:3; 19:39* It appears 2 times in the King James Bible.
The word litra (G3046) appears 2 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3046 is litra, a Greek word defined as: a pound, libra, equivalent to about twelve ounces (American), Jn. 12:3; 19:39*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
litra is a Greek word found in the New Testament.